[1][6][7][8] He was previously the youngest registered lobbyist in Washington, D.C.[8] He also owned the Law Offices of Christopher Corley in Augusta, Georgia.
[6][10] In 2014, Corley defeated Adam Mestres, Rick Turnbull, and Lance Weaver in the Republican primary for the 84th district, which includes an area of South Carolina northeast of Augusta, across the Savannah River.
[16] Corley had previously expressed skepticism about laws restricting individuals accused or convicted of domestic violence from possessing firearms.
[17] During the 2016 Republican presidential primaries, Corley supported then-candidate Donald Trump and was his co-chairman in Aiken County.
Corley later sent Christmas cards featuring the Confederate Flag to his fellow Republican lawmakers, suggesting they "take this joyous time as an opportunity to ask for forgiveness of all your sins such as betrayal".
[3][21] In December 2016, during an argument with his wife in which she accused him of infidelity, Corley allegedly punched her in the face, pointed a Smith & Wesson SD9 VE 9mm pistol at her, and threatened to kill her in the presence of two of their children.